The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Maximilian Gmelich Schmidt (NSN: 0-71341), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. S-32 (SS-137), during the FOURTH War Patrol of that Submarine in waters adjacent to enemy occupied territory in the Northern Pacific during the period from 25 February 1943 to 20 March 1943. On 9 March 1943, Lieutenant Commander Schmidt pressed home a night surface attack on an enemy destroyer or mine layer and from close range, scoring one hit which caused a destructive fire on this vessel. His vessel was immediately counterattacked with depth charges by another vessel, but due to his coolness and skillful handling of his ship, he was able to retire with only superficial damage. On 13 March 1943, he made a successful night surface attack on an enemy submarine and on 15 March 1943, he made an additional successful submerged attack on another enemy submarine. His offensive action and his intrepidity, demonstrated by these attacks, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.